Accounting for Culture & Trauma in Your Domestic

Violence Services

Olga Trujillowww.olgatrujillo.com

Olga Trujillo Consulting

Good Advocacy Incorporates Trauma

o Guiding principles:Ø Prevent re-traumatizationØ Prioritize safetyØ Partner with survivors Ø Focus on resilienceØ Recognize impact Ø Foster survivor empowermentØ Hold perpetrators accountable

Cultivate maximum flexibility• Adapt requirements for participation in programs• Enable multiple means of expression• Communicate to survivors through a variety of languages and

tools to enhance understanding through various senses –DVDs, audio recordings, pictures, and hands-on learning

• Communicate at a level and pace most helpful to each survivor

• Repeat information, provide written information and reminders when requested

• Discuss any difficulties abiding by rules, and consider adapting rules

TRAUMA-INFORMED RESPONSES

Adapt program requirements• Being flexible; allowing for voluntary participation • Being able to participate in groups without feeling

pressured to talk• Providing access to places with reduced sensory

stimulation • Adjusting requirements as needed

Enable multiple Means of expression

• Incorporate comfort, tolerance and discussions about the ways survivors express themselves that may make others feel uneasy and unfamiliar, particularly responses that may be more intense

• Develop an awareness of individual “triggers” and plan for best response on an individualized basis

Develop Partnerships Look for those who understand• Criminal Justice Systems• Cultural view

o Languageo Faitho Beliefs about relationships, family, mental health…

• Trauma and Mental Health• Sexual Assault• Child Abuse• Traditional as well as alternative healing

Develop Partnerships(continued)

Look for those who understand• Faith groups/Centers of worship• Health care • Employment• Law

o Familyo Employmento Immigration

• Housing• Education• Community Centers

EngageCommunity

Connect with and raise awareness• Neighbors• Businesses• Faith Communities• Civic Groups• Sports clubs• Youth groups• Teachers

EngageCommunity

Give them something to do• Provide information• Connect them to your network• Have concrete ways they can help

o Be specifico Empower them to help

• Support• Listen• Connect• Act

It’s Challenging work

• You are already doing it • Take some time with your colleagues to explore

ways of making your services more responsive to the needs of survivors

• Provide safe opportunities for survivors to tell you what they want and need

Where do you start?• Build on what you already have

o Who do you work with now?o Who do you think you should work with?

• Why them?• Who do you know

• Get feedback and input from those you serve and want to serveo Listening sessions/focus groupso Town hall meetings

• Make a plano Multi yearo manageable

What’s in your plan?• What do women want?

o Be openo Lay it all outo Break it up from easiest to hardesto Start reaching out

• Talk with existing partnerso Look for ways to do it

• Partners• Funding• Volunteers• Models

How to Start• Plan each objective• Start with your own program

o Look at how you work with survivors – is it around leaving?o Look at your staff – does it reflect those you want to work with? o Look at your rules – are they survivor-centered?o Do you get input from survivors?o Do you incorporate their thoughts?

• Make changes• Reach out to anyone who can help

How to Start(continued)

• How do you get them to work with you?o Find out what motivates them?o Know what you have to have and what is negotiableo Have an idea what you want them to doo Ask, listen, ask….

• Cross train• Do joint events• Work together• Take the time to build trust and solidify your relationship• Assess partnership• Next step

Engage Community• Listening sessions• Do it• Town hall meetings• Provide a valuable service• Diversify

o Puenteso Business groupo Lideres/Promatoreso Youth peer groups

Models• Casa de Esperanza• Freedom Program